Light emitting diode (led) lighting device or lamp with configurable light qualities

ABSTRACT

An LED lighting device or LED lamp comprises one or more LED packages, and a switch comprising at least two selectable positions. At least one selectable position corresponds to a set operating mode and one selectable position corresponds to a configurable operating mode. When the switch is in the selectable position corresponding to the set operating mode, responsive to receiving an indication of user input for selecting user-selected operating light qualities, the one or more LED packages continue to be operated in accordance with the predefined operating light qualities corresponding to the set operating mode. When the switch is in the selectable position corresponding to the configurable operating mode, responsive to receiving an indication of user input for selecting user-selected operating light qualities, operation of the one or more LED packages is modified in accordance with the user-selected operating light qualities.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/545,873, filed Aug. 20, 2019, which application is also itself acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/128,162, filed Sep. 11,2018 (now granted as U.S. Pat. No. 10,433,390), which application isalso itself continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/705,808, filedSep. 15, 2017 (now granted as U.S. Pat. No. 10,104,742, as of Oct. 16,2018), which application is also itself a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 15/274,575, filed Sep. 23, 2016 (now granted asU.S. Pat. No. 9,801,250, as of Oct. 24, 2017); the contents of all ofwhich as are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

Incandescent bulbs are slowly being phased out in favor of moreefficient lighting sources. This has led to an increased use of compactfluorescent bulbs which are more efficient than incandescent bulbs, butwhich tend to contain dangerous gasses, such as mercury. Compactfluorescent bulbs are also affected by ambient temperature and failreach their peak brightness in colder conditions. Additionally, manypeople find the color temperature of light emitted by compactfluorescents to not be aesthetically pleasing for many applications,such as household lighting in kitchens, bathrooms, and living rooms;some commercial applications; and the like. Due to the nature of compactfluorescent bulbs, the bulbs always have a frosted appearance, whichalso tends to reduce the aesthetic appeal of compact fluorescent bulbs.The use of halogen bulbs has also increased; however due to the hightemperatures at which halogen bulbs operate they are not highlyefficient and may be a fire or burn hazard.

Recent advances in manufacturing light emitting diodes (LEDs) combinedwith the efficiency and long lifetime of LEDs have led to an increase inthe availability and affordability of LED lamps and other LED lightingdevices. LED lamps and lighting devices offer advantages over compactfluorescent bulbs including longer lifetime and the absence of dangerousgasses. Also, LED lamps and lighting devices may be configured to emitlight at a wide variety of color temperatures.

Therefore, there is a need in the art for LED lighting devices thatallow users to take advantage of the wide variety of color temperaturesat which LEDs may emit light.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention provide an LED lighting device orLED lamp for which one or more aspects of the light emitted from the LEDlighting device or LED lamp (e.g., color temperature, brightness, colorrendering index (CRI), and/or the like) is configurable and/oradjustable. For example, the LED lamp or LED lighting device may allow auser to select an operating mode (e.g., a programmable custom mode, aset mode, or a configurable mode). One or more qualities of the light(e.g., color temperature, brightness, CRI, and/or the like) emitted bythe LED lamp or LED lighting device may then be controlled based on theuser-selected operating mode. For example, a particular LED lamp or LEDlighting device may be configured to emit light at a user-selected colortemperature. For example, a user may set one or more light aspects orqualities (e.g., brightness, color temperature, CRI, and/or the like) atwhich the LED lighting device or LED lamp emits light at the time theLED lighting device or LED lamp is installed. Alternatively, the usermay select to place the LED lighting device or LED lamp in aconfigurable operating mode. In the configurable operating mode, a usermay use a remote switch (e.g., a wall switch, remote control, mobilecomputing device, and/or the like) to change the one or more operatinglight aspects or qualities at which the LED lighting device or LED lampemits light during the operation of the LED lighting device or LED lamp.For example, the user may use a remote switch to toggle between presetoperating light aspects or qualities.

According to one aspect of the present invention, an LED lighting deviceor LED lamp is provided. In example embodiments, the LED lighting deviceor LED lamp comprises one or more LED packages; driver circuitryconfigured to provide a controllable electrical current to at least oneof the one or more LED packages during operation of the LED lightingdevice or LED lamp; a switch comprising at least two selectable options.At least one selectable option corresponds to a set operating mode andone selectable option corresponds to a configurable operating mode. TheLED lighting device or LED lamp further comprises a user-selectionswitch for receiving user-selection of operating light qualities whenthe switch is in a position to select the configurable operating mode.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an LED lightingdevice or LED lamp is provided. In example embodiments, the LED lightingdevice or LED lamp comprises one or more LED packages; driver circuitryconfigured to provide a controllable electrical current to at least oneof the one or more LED packages during operation of the LED lightingdevice or LED lamp; and a switch comprising at least two selectableoptions. At least one selectable option corresponds to a set operatingmode and one selectable option corresponds to a configurable operatingmode. When the LED lighting device or LED lamp is on and when the switchis in a position to select a selectable option corresponding to a setoperating mode, the driver circuitry operates at least one of the one ormore LED packages to emit light having set operating light qualitiescorresponding to the set operating mode. When the LED lighting device orLED lamp is on and when the switch is in a position to select theselectable option corresponding to the configurable operating mode, thedriver circuitry operates at least one of the one or more LED packagesto emit light having operating light qualities corresponding to a mostrecently received signal indicating a user-selection, the user-selectionprovided through user interaction with a wall or junction box mountedremote switch.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an LED lightingdevice or LED lamp is provided. In example embodiments, the LED lightingdevice or LED lamp comprises one or more LED packages; driver circuitryconfigured to provide a controllable electrical current to at least oneof the one or more LED packages during operation of the LED lightingdevice or LED lamp; and a switch comprising at least two selectableoptions. At least one selectable option corresponds to a set operatingmode and one selectable option corresponds to a configurable operatingmode. When the LED lighting device or LED lamp is on and when the switchis in a position to select a selectable option corresponding to a setoperating mode, the driver circuitry operates at least one of the one ormore LED packages to emit light having set operating light qualitiescorresponding to the set operating mode. When the LED lighting device orLED lamp is on and when the switch is in a position to select theselectable option corresponding to the configurable operating mode, thedriver circuitry operates at least one of the one or more LED packagesto emit light having operating light qualities corresponding to a mostrecently received signal indicating a user-selection, the user-selectionprovided through user interaction with a portable remote switch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will nowbe made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn toscale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partial cutaway perspective view of an example LED lamp inaccordance with an example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an example LED lamp in accordance withan example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross section of an example LED lighting device inaccordance with an example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a back view of an example LED lighting device in accordancewith an example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2B is a front view of the example LED lighting device shown in FIG.2A;

FIG. 2C is a back view of another example LED lighting device inaccordance with an example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2D is a front view of the example LED lighting device shown in FIG.2C;

FIG. 2E is a back view of another example LED lighting device inaccordance with an example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block wiring diagram of an LED lamp or LED lighting devicein accordance with example embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of at least some of the electrical componentsof an LED lamp or LED lighting device in accordance with exampleembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4A is another block diagram of at least some of the electricalcomponents of an LED lamp or LED lighting device in accordance withexample embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a remote switch in communication with anLED lamp or LED lighting device in accordance with example embodimentsof the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a computing entity that may be used as aremote switch in communication with an LED lamp or LED lighting devicein accordance with example embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 7 provides a flowchart illustrating processes and procedures ofinstalling and operating an LED lamp or LED lighting device inaccordance with example embodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 provides a flowchart illustrating process and procedures ofinstalling and operating an LED lamp or LED lighting device inaccordance with other example embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not allembodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, the invention may beembodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limitedto the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments areprovided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legalrequirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

Example embodiments of the present invention provide an LED lamp or LEDlighting device having two or more user selectable modes. Switchingbetween modes may adjust one or more aspects or qualities of the lightprovided by the LED lamp or LED lighting device when the LED lamp or LEDlighting device is operating. For example, switching between modes mayadjust the quality of the light provided by the LED lamp or LED lightingdevice when the LED lamp or LED lighting device is operating. Forexample, switching between modes may adjust the brightness, colorrendering index (CRI), color temperature, and/or the like of the lightemitted by the LED lamp or LED lighting device when the LED lamp or LEDlighting device is operating.

Example embodiments of the present invention described herein generallyrelate to an LED lamp or LED lighting device wherein the operating lightaspects or qualities (e.g., brightness, color temperature, CRI, and/orthe like of the light emitted by the LED lamp or LED lighting devicewhen the LED lamp or LED lighting device is being operated and/or isturned on), is selectively configurable. For example, exampleembodiments of the present invention described herein generally relateto an LED lamp or LED lighting device wherein the operating colortemperature (e.g., the color temperature of the light emitted by the LEDlamp or LED lighting device when the LED lamp or LED lighting device isbeing operated and/or is turned on), is selectively configurable.However, it should be understood that principles of the presentinvention may be used to provide an LED lamp or LED lighting device forwhich one or more aspects or qualities of the light provided duringoperation of the LED lamp or LED lighting device may be modified throughselection of a particular mode. Examples of the aspects that may bemodified through mode selection may include, but are not limited to,brightness, CRI, color temperature, and/or combinations thereof.

For example, a user may select a desired operating light aspects orqualities (e.g., color temperature, brightness, CRI, and/or the like,and/or a combination thereof) for the LED lamp or LED lighting devicebefore the LED lamp or LED lighting device is installed. Alternatively,the user may select to operate the LED lamp or LED lighting device in aconfigurable operating mode following installation. For example, the LEDlamp or LED lighting device may be operated in a configurable mode thatallows a user to change one or more of the operating light aspects orqualities during operation of the LED lamp or LED lighting device usinga remote switch. In example embodiments, a remote switch may be a wallmounted switch mounted in the same room as the LED lamp or LED lightingdevice and/or within a short range communication technology range of theLED lamp or LED lighting device. In another example, the remote switchmay be a handheld device (e.g., a remote control) that is within thesame room as the LED lamp or LED lighting device, within a short rangecommunication technology range of the LED lamp or LED lighting device,and/or in communication with the LED lamp or LED lighting device througha wireless network.

As noted above, LEDs may be manufactured that emit light at a variety ofcolor temperatures. Moreover, LEDs may be configured to emit light at avariety of brightness, CRI, and/or having other configurable lightaspects or qualities. Embodiments of the present invention allow a userto take advantage of the variety of light aspects or qualities at whichLEDs may emit light by allowing the user to operate an LED lamp or LEDlighting device at a selectable mode such that the user may selectand/or modify aspects or qualities of the emitted light. For example,embodiments of the present invention allow a user to take advantage ofthe variety of color temperatures at which LEDs may emit light byallowing the user to operate an LED lamp or LED lighting device at aselectable configurable operating color temperature. For example, theuser may be able to change the operating color temperature of the LEDlamp or LED lighting device as the user desires during the operation ofthe LED lamp or LED lighting device. The user may also choose to selecta programmable operating color temperature for the LED lamp or LEDlighting device. For example, the LED lighting device or LED lamp may beprogrammed to a set operating color temperature mode in which theoperating color temperature cannot be changed during operation of theLED lamp or LED lighting device. Thus, embodiments of the presentinvention allow a user to take advantage of the wide range of colortemperatures at which LEDs may produce light.

For example, given the wide array of color temperatures and other lightaspects or qualities (e.g., brightness, CRI, etc.) available in LEDlamps and LED lighting devices, retailers need to stock a variety ofdifferent color temperature, brightness, and/or other light aspect orquality options for each style of LED lamp and/or LED lighting device toprovide consumers with the options the consumer's desire. Moreover, itis common in multiple purpose rooms (e.g., family rooms, etc.) thatdifferent lighting options may be desired. For example, a light havingan operating color temperature of 5000 k may be desired if a user issitting on the couch reading, but the user may prefer a light having anoperating color temperature of 3000K when watching television.Traditionally this would require the user to have two lighting optionsavailable in the same room. However, example embodiments of the presentinvention allow the user to have a light source of operating temperatureof 3000K and a light source of operating temperature of 5000K while onlyrequiring one lighting device. Similarly, with example embodiments ofthe present invention, retailers need only to stock LED lamps and/or LEDlighting devices based on the style of the lamp and/or lighting deviceas the operating color temperature and/or other light aspects orqualities of the lamp and/or lighting device are selectable.

In example embodiments, the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20 allowsa user to select an operating mode (e.g., a programmable custom mode, aset mode, or a configurable mode). One or more qualities of the light(e.g., color temperature, brightness, CRI, and/or the like) emitted bythe LED lamp 10 and/or LED lighting device 20 may then be controlledbased on the user-selected operating mode. One or more qualities of thelight emitted by the LED lamp 10 and/or LED lighting device 20 may bemodified through mode switching (e.g., using switch 30) and/orconfigured using a remote switch 40 when the user-selected mode is aconfigurable mode.

Example LED Lamp

FIG. 1 provides a partial cutaway perspective view of an example LEDlamp 10 in accordance with an example embodiment of the presentinvention. Additionally, FIG. 1A provides a perspective view of anexample LED lamp 10 in accordance with an example embodiment of thepresent invention. In example embodiments, the LED lamp 10 may comprisea lamp envelope 12, a lamp housing 14, a lamp base 16, two or more LEDpackages 18, driver circuitry 19, a switch control unit 35, a switch 30,and/or the like. In example embodiments, the lamp envelope 12 may betransparent, translucent, and/or semi-translucent and configured toenclose the optical components (e.g., the two or more LED packages 18,optics 13, and/or the like). In example embodiments, the lamp housing 14may be configured to house the driver circuitry 19, switch control unit35 (shown in FIG. 4), a heat sink, heat dissipation elements (e.g.,fins, radiators, and/or the like), and/or other elements of the LED lamp10. For example, the switch 30 may be located on an exterior surface ofthe lamp housing 14. The lamp base 16 may be configured for physicallysecuring the LED lamp 10 into a socket of a lighting device andelectrically connecting the driver circuitry 19, switch control unit 35,and/or other electrical component of the LED lamp 10 to the socket suchthat the LED lamp 10 may be electrically powered through the socket. Inexample embodiments, the lamp base 16 and/or the LED lamp 10 may be thesize of a traditional/standard incandescent lamp. For example, the lampbase 16 and/or the LED lamp 10 may be sized according to an A15, A19,A21, A22, B8, B10, C7, C9, C11, C15, F10, F15, F20 and/ortraditional/standard lamp size. For example, the lamp base 16 of the LEDlamp 10 shown in FIG. 1A is in accordance with a traditional/standardA19 lamp size. For example, in one embodiment, the length of the LEDlamp 10, a, is 111 mm, the length of the lamp envelope 12, b, is 43 mm,and the width of the lamp envelope 12, c, is 59.9 mm or approximately 60mm. In various embodiments, the size of the LED lamp 10 may vary basedas appropriate for the application.

FIG. 3 provides a block wiring diagram of an example LED lamp 10 or LEDlighting device 20. The electrical components of the LED lamp 10 maycomprise a switch 30 in electrical communication with a switch controlunit 35. The switch control unit 35 may be in electrical communicationwith the driver circuitry 19. In an example embodiment, the switchcontrol unit 35 may be in electrical communication with a driverintegrated circuit (IC) 19 a configured to control, condition, configureand/or the like the electrical current provided to one or more LEDpackages 18. The driver circuitry 19 may then provide the configurableelectrical current to the one or more LED packages 18, causing the LEDlighting device to be operated according to the mode selected throughthe switch 30.

Example LED Lighting Device

FIG. 2 provides a cross section view of an example LED lighting device20. The illustrated lighting device 20 is an edge-lit LED flat panellighting fixture configured to be mounted on a ceiling or wall,suspended as a pendant, and/or the like. In various embodiments, the LEDlighting device 20 may be a lighting fixture, a luminaire, a floor lamp,a desk lamp, and/or the like. FIGS. 2A, 2C, and 2E provide a back viewsof example LED lighting devices 20 that are configured to be flushmounted to a mounting surface (e.g., wall, ceiling, and/or the like). Invarious embodiments, an example LED lighting device 20 may be flushmounted to a mounting surface, within a recessed lighting receptacle,and/or the like. FIGS. 2B and 2D provide front views of the examplelighting devices 20 shown in FIGS. 2A and 2C, respectively.

In example embodiments, the LED lighting device 20 comprises a devicehousing 24, a device lens 22, one or more LED packages 18, drivercircuitry 19, a switch control unit 35, a switch 30, and/or the like.For example, the device housing 24 may be configured to house the drivercircuitry 19; switch control unit 35; one or more LED packages 18; oneor more optical elements; one or more heat sink elements; one or moreheat dissipation elements; one or more mounting elements configured formounting the LED lighting device 20 to a ceiling, wall, as a pendant, asa recessed lighting device, and/or the like; one or more stand elementsconfigured for supporting and providing an aesthetic appearance to aluminaire; and/or the like. For example, the switch 30 may be mounted onan exterior surface of the LED lighting device 20. For example, theswitch 30 may be mounted on a back, bottom, or otherwise generallyhidden surface of the device housing 24 such that the switch 30 is notgenerally viewable by a user when the LED lighting device 20 is inoperation. In some embodiments, the switch 30 may be accessible to theuser when the LED lighting device 20 is installed. In such embodiments,the switch 30 may still be generally hidden and/or not located where theswitch 30 is easily viewable (e.g., the switch 30 is generally notlocated on the front of the LED lighting device 20).

In example embodiments the device lens 22 may be transparent,translucent, and/or at least semi-translucent and configured to enclosethe optical and/or electrical components of the LED lighting device 20within the device housing 24. In example embodiments, the electricalcomponents of the LED lighting device 20 (e.g., the driver circuitry 19,switch control unit 35, and/or the like) may be configured to bedirectly wired to line voltage (e.g., through a junction box) or may beconfigured to be connected to line voltage through a power cordcomprising a two- or three-prong polarized plug.

FIG. 3 provides a block wiring diagram of an example LED lamp 10 or LEDlighting device 20. The electrical components of the LED lighting device20 may comprise a switch 30 in electrical communication with a switchcontrol unit 35. The switch control unit 35 may be in electricalcommunication with the driver circuitry 19. In an example embodiment,the switch control unit 35 may be in electrical communication with adriver integrated circuit (IC) 19 a configured to control, condition,configure and/or the like the electrical current provided to one or moreLED packages 18. The driver circuitry 19 may then provide theconfigurable electrical current to the one or more LED packages 18,causing the LED lighting device to be operated.

Exemplary LED Packages

In example embodiments, the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20 maycomprise one or more LED packages 18. In example embodiments, an LEDpackage 18 comprises one or more LED chips, electrical contacts, andoptionally phosphor (e.g., to cause the LED package to emit whitelight). The LED package 18 may further comprise encapsulant to protectthe one or more LED chips, wire bonds, and the phosphor. In an exampleembodiment, the LED packages 18 may comprise one or more alternatecurrent (AC) driven LEDs. In some embodiments, the LED package 18 mayfurther comprise one or more optical elements. In example embodiments,the one or more LED packages 18 may comprise two or more LED packages18. In example embodiments, the two or more LED packages may comprise atleast one first LED package 18 a and at least one second LED package 18b. The first LED package 18 a may be configured to emit light at a firstcolor temperature and the second LED package 18 b may be configured toemit light at a second color temperature. The second color temperaturemay be different from the first color temperature. For example, thefirst color temperature may be 3000K or 2700K and the second colortemperature may be 5000K. In example embodiments, the two or more LEDpackages 18 may further comprise a third and/or fourth LED packageconfigured to emit light at a third and/or fourth color temperature,respectively, wherein the third and/or fourth color temperature aredifferent from the first and second color temperatures. For example, invarious embodiments, one or more of the LED packages 18 may beconfigured to emit light of at least one of 2700K, 3000K, 3500K, 4000K,5000K, 5700K, 6000K, 7000K, 7500K and/or other color temperatures, asappropriate for the application. For example, as shown in FIG. 4A, theLED lamp 10 or LED lighting device may be configured to selectivelyprovide light of color temperature A, B, or C, wherein A, B, and C maybe any preset color temperature provided each is different relative toone another

In example embodiments, the two or more LED packages 18 may be inelectrical communication with driver circuitry 19 such that the two ormore LED packages 18 may be operated by the driver circuitry 19. Forexample, the driver circuitry 19 may provide a controlled electricalcurrent to at least one of the LED packages 18. For example, the drivercircuitry 19 may be configured to only operate first LED packages 18 ato cause the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20 to emit light of thefirst color temperature. In another example, the driver circuitry 19 maybe configured to only operate second LED packages 18 b to cause the LEDlamp 10 or LED lighting device 20 to emit light of the second colortemperature. In another example, the driver circuitry 19 may beconfigured to operate one or more (e.g., half) of the first LED packages18 a and one or more (e.g., half) of the second LED packages 18 b tocause the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20 to emit light of a thirdcolor temperature. In example embodiments, the first color temperature,second color temperature, and third color temperature may be differentfrom one another. For example, the first color temperature may be 3000K,the second color temperature may be 5000K, and the third colortemperature may be 4000K. In some embodiments, the LED lamp 10 or LEDlighting device 20 may comprise LED packages 18 configured to emit lightat more than two distinct color temperatures (e.g., three, four, or moredistinct color temperatures).

In example embodiments, the one or more LED packages 18 may beconfigured to provide light that varies in brightness, colortemperature, CRI, and/or the like based on the current provided to theone or more LED packages 18 by the driver circuitry 19. For example, thedriver circuitry may provide a particular current to an LED package 18to cause the LED package 18 to provide light having particular lightaspects or qualities.

In example embodiments, the LED packages 18 may comprise one or more LEDpackages 18 that are configured to emit light other than “white” light.For example, the LED packages 18 may comprise one or more LED packages18 configured to emit a red or amber light that may be operated toincrease the CRI of the light emitted by the LED lamp 10 or LED lightingdevice 20.

Example Driver Circuitry

In example embodiments, the driver circuitry 19 may be configured toprovide a controlled electrical current to at least one of the LEDpackages 18 during operation of the LED lighting device 20 or LED lamp10. In various embodiments, the driver circuitry 19 may comprise acircuit portion configured to convert AC voltage into DC voltage. Insome embodiments, the driver circuitry 19 may comprise a circuit portionconfigured to control the current flowing through the two or more LEDpackages 18. In certain embodiments, the driver circuitry 19 maycomprise a circuit portion configured to dim the LED lamp 10 or LEDlighting fixture 20. In various embodiments, additional circuitcomponents may be present in the driver circuitry 19. Similarly, invarious embodiments, all or some of the circuit portions mentioned heremay not be present in the driver circuitry 19. In some embodiments,circuit portions listed herein as separate circuit portions may becombined into one circuit portion. As should be appreciated, a varietyof driver circuitry configurations are generally known and understood inthe art and any of such may be employed in various embodiments assuitable for the intended application, without departing from the scopeof the present invention.

In example embodiments, the driver circuitry 19 may be configured tooperate subsets of the two or more LED packages 18 at a particular givenmoment in time. For example, if a first color temperature has beenselected by a user as the operating color temperature, the drivercircuitry 19 may be configured to operate one or more first LED packages18 a configured to emit light at the selected first color temperature.If a second color temperature has been selected by the user as theoperating color temperature, the driver circuitry 19 may be configuredto operate one or more second LED packages 18 b configured to emit lightat the second selected color temperature. If a third color temperaturehas been selected by the user as the operating color temperature, thedriver circuitry 19 may be configured to operate at least a portion ofthe first LED packages 18 a (e.g., half of the first LED packages 18 a)and at least a portion of the second LED packages 18 b (e.g., half ofthe second LED packages 18 b) to provide (e.g., via a combination of thefirst and second LED packages) a selected third color temperature thatis a composite, mixture, or superposition of the first and second colortemperatures. The selection of which LED packages 18 are operated by thedriver circuitry 19, when the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20 isoperated, is determined by the status of the switch 30 and/or by theswitch control unit 35. For example, the driver circuitry 19 maycomprise a plurality of provider circuits 17 configured to provide acontrolled electrical current to a subset of the two or more LEDpackages 18 depending on the selected operating color temperature and/orthe status of the switch 30.

In another example, the driver circuitry 19 may be configured to providea particular current to one or more of the LED packages 18 to providelight having specific light aspects qualities (e.g., brightness, colortemperature, CRI, and/or the like). For example, the driver circuitry 19may be configured to drive one or more LED packages 18 such that the LEDpackages provide light having the desired light aspects or qualities.The determination of how one or more of the LED packages 18 should bedriven (e.g., what current should be supplied to the LED packages 18)may be determined by the status of the switch 30 and/or by the switchcontrol unit 35. Based on the desired light aspects or qualities,different LED packages 18 may be driven differently. For example, LEDpackages 18 may be driven differently from a red or amber LED package 18that is being operated to increase the CRI of the light emitted by theLED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20. Thus, the provider circuits 17may be configured to provide various LED packages 18 with a particularconfigurable current such that the composite light emitted by the LEDlamp 10 or LED lighting device 20 has the user desired light aspects orqualities.

For example, in an example embodiment (with reference to FIG. 4) thatallows a user to choose between three different operating colortemperature options, the driver circuitry 19 may comprise three distinctprovider circuits 17 for providing the controlled electrical current tothe at least one of the two or more LED packages 18 for operation. Forexample, the switch control unit 35 and/or the position of the switchselector 34 may determine which provider circuit 17 is used during theoperation of the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20. Generally, onlyone of the provider circuits 17 is in use at a given time. For example,a first provider circuit 17 may be configured to provide electricalcurrent to one or more first LED packages 18 a when the selectedoperating color temperature is the first color temperature, a secondprovider circuit 17 may be configured to provide electrical current toone or more second LED packages 18 b when the selected operating colortemperature is the second color temperature, and a third providercircuit 17 may be configured to provide electrical current to at leastone first LED package 18 a and at least one second LED package 18 b whenthe selected operating color temperature is the third color temperature.The selection of the operating color temperature may be based at leastin part on the status of a switch 30 (e.g., the position of the switchselector 34) and/or by a switch controller unit 35.

In example embodiments, various configurations of provider circuits 17may be applied. For example, as noted above, a provider circuit 17 maybe configured to provide electrical current to only the first LEDpackages 18 a, only the second LED packages 18 b, or a predeterminedcombination of the first and second LED packages 18 a and 18 b. Forexample, a provider circuit 17 may be configured to provide electricalcurrent to half of the first LED packages 18 a and half of the secondLED packages 18 b to provide light of the third color temperature. Inanother example, a provider circuit 17 may be configured to provideelectrical current to 25% of the first LED packages 18 a and 75% of thesecond LED packages 18 b to provide light of a fourth color temperature.It should be understood that a provider circuit 17 may be configured toprovide controlled electrical current to various combinations of thefirst LED packages 18 a and the second LED packages 18 b to providevarious color temperature options. Furthermore, in example embodiments,the two or more LED packages 18 may comprise three or more LED packages18. For example, the LED packages 18 may comprise at least one first LEDpackage 18 a configured to emit light at a first color temperature, atleast one second LED package 18 b configured to emit light at a secondcolor temperature, and at least one third LED package configured to emitlight at a third color temperature, the first, second, and third colortemperatures being different from one another. In such an embodiment, aprovider circuit 17 may be configured to provide electrical current toat least one of the first LED packages 18 a, at least one of the secondLED packages 18 b, and at least one of the third LED packages to providea three color blend. It should be understood that LED packagesconfigured to emit light at additional color temperatures may beincorporated into the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20 as desiredand/or appropriate for the application and that various combinations ofthe LED packages may be activated to cause the LED lamp 10 or LEDlighting device 20 to emit light of a desired operating colortemperature.

As noted above, the light aspects or qualities (e.g., brightness, colortemperature, CRI, and/or the like) may be controlled by how the one ormore LED packages 18 are operated (instead of and/or in addition towhich of the LED packages 18 are operated). In example embodiments, oneor more configurable qualities of the light emitted by the LED lamp 10or the LED lighting device 20 may configured by controlling the currentprovided to one or more of the LED packages 18. In particular, thedriver circuitry 19 may drive the one or more LED packages 18 with ahigher or lower current to modify the brightness, color temperature,CRI, and/or the like of the light emitted by the one or more LEDpackages 18. In another example, the driver circuitry 19 may increase ordecrease the number of LED packages 18 being driven to increase ordecrease the brightness of the light emitted by the LED lamp 10 or theLED lighting device 20. In another example, one or more red or amber LEDpackages 18 may be turned on (e.g., electrical current may be suppliedthereto by the driver circuitry 19) to increase the CRI of the lightemitted by the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20. In anotherexample, the primary or secondary optics used to condition the lightemitted by the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20. For example, theoptics 13 may be modified, the amount of phosphor through which an LEDis emitting may be modified, and/or the like. Thus, in exampleembodiments, one or more qualities of the light emitted by the LED lamp10 or LED lighting device 20 may be modified, controlled, configured,and/or the like by changing and/or controlling the amount of currentprovided to one or more LED packages 18, which LED packages 18 of thetwo or more LED packages 18 are being operated, physically changing theprimary and/or secondary optics conditioning the light, and/or the like.Thus, for example in an embodiment configured to provide configurablebrightness settings or modes, the dimming of the LED lamp 10 or LEDlighting device 20 may be controlled by the switch control unit 35and/or driver circuitry 19 rather than by the externally providedcurrent.

In example embodiments, when the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20is in a configurable operating mode, interaction with the remote switch40 (e.g., reception of a signal from the remote switch 40) may cause thetopology of the driver circuitry to be altered. For example, userinteraction with the remote switch 40 may cause a signal to be providedto the switch control unit 35. The switch control unit 35 may then causea change in the topology of the driver circuitry 19, thereby causing thedriver circuitry 19 to operate a different set of LED packages 18, driveone or more LED packages 18 with a modified current, and/or the like.

Example Switch

In example embodiments, the LED lamp 10 and/or LED lighting device 20comprises a switch 30. In example embodiments, the switch 30 may beconfigured to allow a user to select an operating mode (e.g., aprogrammable custom mode, a set mode, or a configurable mode). One ormore aspects or qualities of the light (e.g., color temperature,brightness, CRI, and/or the like) emitted by the LED lamp 10 and/or LEDlighting device 20 may then be controlled based on the user-selectedoperating mode. In example embodiments, the switch 30 may be amechanical switch, electro-mechanical switch, an infrared switch, and/orthe like. For example, if the switch 30 is a mechanical switch, theswitch 30 may comprise a slide switch, a dial, a set of binary switches,and/or the like. In an example embodiments, the switch 30, and/or a userinterface thereof, may be disposed on an exterior surface of the lamphousing 14 or the device housing 24. FIGS. 3 and 3A provide blockdiagrams of at least some of the electrical components of an LED lamp 10or LED lighting device 20, including a switch 30 and a switch controlunit 35, in accordance with example embodiments of the presentinvention. In example embodiments, the switch 30 may comprise aplurality of switch positions 32 (e.g., 32 a, 32 b, 32 c, 32 d), switchposition indicators 33 (e.g., 33 a, 33 b, 33 c, 33 d), and a switchselector 34. For example, the switch 30 may comprise four switchpositions 32 a, 32 b, 32 c, and 32 d, in example embodiments. In otherembodiments, the switch 30 may comprise more than four switch positions32 (e.g., 32 a, 32 b, 32 c, 32 d). For example, in various embodiments,the switch 30 may comprise two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, ormore switch positions with each switch position corresponding to eithera set operating mode, a selectively configurable operating mode, or aprogrammable custom operating mode. One of the switch positions maycorrespond to a configurable operating mode (e.g., a configurableoperating color temperature mode, configurable brightness mode,configurable brightness-color temperature mode, etc.) and the remainingswitch positions may correspond to set operating modes (e.g., setoperating color temperature modes, set brightness modes, set operatingbrightness-color temperature modes, etc.) wherein the different switchpositions select the particular set light aspects or qualities (e.g.,brightness, operating color temperature, CRI, and/or the like). Forexample, switch positions 32 a, 32 b, and 32 c may correspond to setoperating color temperature modes with each position corresponding to aparticular set operating color temperature. The switch position 32 d maycorrespond to a configurable operating color temperature mode.

In some embodiments, the switch 30 may provide the user with one or moreprogrammable custom operating modes. In an example embodiment, theswitch 30 may comprise a custom set operating color temperature mode, inwhich a user may define and/or select a pre-defined mixture of thefirst, second, third, and/or the like operating color temperatures suchthat the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20 provides a light at thecustom set operating color temperature. In another example, the switch30 may comprise a custom program operating brightness-color temperatureoperating mode such that the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20provides light at a custom set operating color temperature at a setbrightness. In another example, the switch 30 may comprise a customprogram operating mode wherein the switch control unit 35 is configuredto cause the operating color temperature, brightness, and/or CRI tochange at configurable times (e.g., clock time) or at configurableperiods of time. For example, a user may wish to have the LED lamp 10 orLED lighting device 20 operate at one operating color temperature duringthe morning hours, another operating color temperature during theafternoon, and another operating color temperature in the evening ornight time hours. In another example, a user may want the LED lamp 10 orLED lighting device 20 to operate at one operating color temperature,brightness, and/or CRI for the first twenty minutes the LED lamp 10 orLED lighting device 20 is operating and then to operate at anotheroperating color temperature, brightness, and/or CRI for the next threehours or for as long as the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20remains in constant operation. In example embodiments havingprogrammable custom operating mode options, additional user interfacecomponents (e.g., in addition to the switch 30) may be provided for theprogramming of the programmable custom operating mode. The additionaluser interface components may be located on the housing 14, 24 of theLED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20 and/or on a remote switch 40(e.g., through a mobile computing entity 40′ user interface, wherein thecomputing entity 40′ is executing an application causing the computingentity 40′ to operate as a remote switch 40). In example embodiments,such additional user interface components may comprise various switches,dials, displays, touchscreen displays, buttons, knobs, and/or the likeas commonly understood in the art.

A switch position indicator 33 (e.g., 33 a, 33 b, 33 c, 33 d) maycorrespond to each switch position 32 (e.g., 32 a, 32 b, 32 c, 32 d).The switch position indicator 33 (e.g., 33 a, 33 b, 33 c, 33 d) may beconfigured to indicate the operating mode (e.g., color temperatureand/or option or mode, etc.) selected by placing the switch selector 34in the corresponding switch position. For example, switch positionindicator 33 a may show approximately where the switch position 32 a islocated and may indicate the color temperature and/or option or modeselected by placing the switch selector 34 in switch position 32 a. Forexample, the switch position indicator 33 a indicates that if the switchselector 34 is placed in the switch position 32 a, a set operating colortemperature mode is selected with the set operating color temperaturebeing 3000K. Similarly, the switch position indicator 33 b indicatesthat if the switch selector 34 is placed in the switch position 32 b, aset operating color temperature mode is selected with the set operatingcolor temperature being 4000K; the switch position indicator 33 cindicates that if the switch selector 34 is placed in the switchposition 32 c, a set operating color temperature mode is selected withthe set operating color temperature being 5000K; and the switch positionindicator 33 d indicates that if the switch selector 34 is placed in theswitch position 32 d, the configurable operating color temperature modeis selected. For example, if the switch selector 34 is placed in switchposition 34 d, the operating color temperature of the LED lamp 10 or LEDlighting device 20 may be configurable by using a wall switch, remotecontrol, and/or the like (e.g., remote switch 40 shown in FIG. 5). Inanother example, as shown in FIG. 4A, the switch position indicator 33 aindicates that if the switch selector 34 is placed in the switchposition 32 a, a set operating mode is selected with the set lightaspects or qualities being A; the switch position indicator 33 bindicates that if the switch selector 34 is placed in the switchposition 32 b, a set operating mode is selected with the set lightaspects or qualities being B; the switch position indicator 33 cindicates that if the switch selector 34 is placed in the switchposition 32 c, a set operating mode is selected with the set lightaspects or qualities being C; and the switch position indicator 33 dindicates that if the switch selector 34 is placed in the switchposition 32 d, the configurable operating is selected wherein a user mayuse a remote switch 40 to toggle between A, B, and C, wherein A, B, andC may be operating states of any preset color temperature, brightness,CRI, and/or the like, provided each operating state is different in atleast one light aspect or quality relative to one another. The status ofthe switch 30 is determined by the switch position 32 (e.g. 32 a, 32 b,32 c, 32 d) in which the switch selector 34 is positioned. The switch 30has been illustrated herein as slider switch. It should be understoodhowever, that the switch 30 may take a variety of forms as appropriatefor the application. For example, FIG. 2E illustrates an example switch30 having a multiple position pivot switch selector 34′ having switchpositions that are selected based on the angle of the pivot switchselector 34′.

In example embodiments, a user may change the operating light aspects orqualities (e.g., operating color temperature, brightness, CRI, and/orthe like) of the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20 by changing thepositions of the switch selector 34. For example, in variousembodiments, the user may change the position of the switch selector 34while the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20 before installation ofthe LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20, after installation of the LEDlamp 10 or LED lighting device 20 but when the LED lamp 10 or LEDlighting device 20 is not in use (e.g., is turned off and not emittinglight), or while the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20 is in use(e.g., is turned on and is emitting light). In example embodiments, ifthe position of the switch selector 34 is changed while the LED lamp 10or LED lighting device 20 is in use, causing the light aspects orqualities thereof to change, the change of the light aspects orqualities may occur within two seconds of the position of the switchselector 34 being changed.

In an example embodiment, a user-selection switch 31 (e.g., a toggleswitch, button, and/or the like) may be disposed on the LED lamp 10 orLED lighting device 20 such that user-selection may be received throughuser-selection switch at the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20.Thus, the user may change the operating light aspects or qualities ofthe LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20 when the LED lamp 10 or LEDlighting device 20 is in a configurable operating mode by interactingwith the user-selection switch 31 rather than by using the remote switch40.

Example Switch Control Unit

In example embodiments, the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20 maycomprise a switch control unit 35. In example embodiments, the switchcontrol unit 35 may be configured to cause the driver circuitry 19 tooperate one or more LED packages 18 in accordance with the user-selectedoperating mode (e.g., a programmable custom mode, a set mode, or aconfigurable mode). In example embodiments, the switch control unit 35may be a microcontroller unit (MCU). For example, the switch controlunit 35 may comprise a single integrated circuit. In exampleembodiments, the switch control unit 35 comprises one or more processingelements 37, one or more memory elements 36, and/or one or morecommunication interface elements 38. In example embodiments, the switchcontrol unit 35 may be in wired (e.g., hard-wired) communication withthe switch 30 and/or configured to receive signals from the remoteswitch 40. In example embodiments, the switch control unit 35 may beconfigured to cause one or more operating light aspects or qualities(e.g., operating color temperature, brightness, CRI) of the LED lamp 10or the LED lighting device 20 to be modified based on a received signalfrom the remote switch 40, store information/data identifying the lastlight aspects or qualities at which the LED lamp 10 or the LED lightingdevice 20 was operated at, and/or the like. For example, the switchcontrol unit 35 may be configured to receive user selection of aprogrammable custom operating mode and control the LED lamp 10 or theLED lighting device 20 to operate in accordance with the programmablecustom operating mode or other user-selected operating mode (e.g., setoperating mode or configurable operating mode).

In example embodiments, the one or more processing elements 37 (alsoreferred to as processors, processing circuitry, processing device,and/or similar terms used herein interchangeably) that communicate withother elements within the switch control unit 35. For example, theprocessing element(s) 37 may communicate with the memory element(s) 36,communication interface element(s) 38, and/or components of the drivercircuitry 19 via direct electrical connection, a bus, and/or the like.For example, the processing element(s) 37 may be configured to processinput received through the switch 30 (and/or additional user interfacecomponents), process a signal received from the remote switch 40 (e.g.,through the communication interface element 38), cause the memoryelement 36 to store a current operating color temperature, cause oneprovider circuit 17 to be activated (e.g., to provide a controlledelectric current to the corresponding at least one LED package 18),cause another provider circuit 17 to be de-activated (e.g., to stopproviding an electric current to the corresponding at least one LEDpackage 18), cause a different and/or modified current to be provided tothe provider circuit 17 (e.g., such that the LED package 18 is driven ina modified manner by the provider circuit 17) and/or the like. As willbe understood, the processing element 37 may be embodied in a number ofdifferent ways. For example, the processing element 37 may be embodiedas one or more complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs),microprocessors, multi-core processors, co-processing entities,application-specific instruction-set processors (ASIPs),microcontrollers, and/or controllers. Further, the processing element 37may be embodied as one or more other processing devices or circuitry.The term circuitry may refer to an entirely hardware embodiment or acombination of hardware and computer program products. Thus, theprocessing element 37 may be embodied as integrated circuits,application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmablegate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic arrays (PLAs), hardwareaccelerators, other circuitry, and/or the like. As will therefore beunderstood, the processing element 37 may be configured for a particularuse or configured to execute instructions stored in volatile ornon-volatile media or otherwise accessible to the processing element 37.As such, whether configured by hardware or computer program products, orby a combination thereof, the processing element 37 may be capable ofperforming steps or operations according to embodiments of the presentinvention when configured accordingly.

The memory element(s) 36 may be non-transitory and may include, forexample, one or more volatile and/or non-volatile memories. In otherwords, for example, the memory element 36 may be an electronic storagedevice (e.g., a computer readable storage medium) comprising gatesconfigured to store data (e.g., bits) that may be retrievable by amachine (e.g., a computing device like the processing element 37). Thememory element 36 may be configured to store information, data, content,applications, instructions, or the like for enabling the switch controlunit 35 to carry out various functions in accordance with an exampleembodiment of the present invention. For example, the memory element 35could be configured to buffer input data for processing by theprocessing element 37 (e.g., a signal received from the remote switch40). In example embodiments, the memory element 36 may be configured tostore a most recent operating light aspects or qualities (e.g., colortemperature, brightness, CRI, and/or the like, and/or combinationthereof). Additionally or alternatively, the memory element 36 could beconfigured to store instructions for execution by the processing element37.

As indicated, in one embodiment, the switch control unit 35 may alsoinclude one or more communications interface elements 38 forcommunicating with the remote switch 40. For example, the communicationsinterface element 38 may be configured to receive a signal from theremote switch 40 indicating user selection of, activation of, and/orinteraction with an on/off or power button, a dimmer switch, or a remoteselector switch configured to select or modify the operating colortemperature of the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20, and/or thelike. Such communication may be executed using a wired data transmissionprotocol, such as fiber distributed data interface (FDDI), digitalsubscriber line (DSL), Ethernet, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), framerelay, data over cable service interface specification (DOCSIS), or anyother wired transmission protocol. Similarly, the communicationsinterface element 38 may be configured to communicate via a wirelesscommunication technology, such as a short range communicationtechnology. For example, the communications interface element 38 may beconfigured to receive and/or send signals using IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi),Wi-Fi Direct, 802.16 (WiMAX), ultra wideband (UWB), infrared (IR)protocols, near field communication (NFC) protocols, Wibree, Bluetoothprotocols, wireless universal serial bus (USB) protocols, and/or anyother wireless protocol.

In example embodiments, the switch control unit 35 may be configured tocause the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20 to operate at theoperating color temperature, brightness, CRI, and/or other particularlight aspect or quality, when the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20is turned on. For example, the switch control unit 35 may be configuredto determine the status of the switch 30 and operate the LED lamp 10 orLED lighting device 20 accordingly. For example, the switch control unit35 may be configured to determine if the position of the switch selector34 is a position corresponding to a set operating mode, to the positioncorresponding to the configurable operating mode, and/or to a positioncorresponding to a programmable custom operating mode. If the switchselector 34 is in a switch position 32 (e.g., 32 a, 32 b, 32 c)corresponding to a set operating mode, the switch control unit 35 (e.g.,the processing element 37) may determine the corresponding colortemperature (and/or other light aspects or qualities) and cause the LEDlamp 10 or LED lighting device 20 to operate at the corresponding colortemperature (and/or other light aspects or qualities). For example, ifthe switch control unit 35 determines that the switch selector 34 is inswitch position 32 a, the switch control unit 35 may then determine thatthe corresponding color temperature is 3000K and cause the LED lamp 10or LED lighting device 20 to be operated at 3000K. For example, if theswitch control unit 34 determines that the switch selector 34 is in theswitch position 32 a, the switch control unit 35 may cause the providercircuit 17 corresponding to the switch position 32 a to provide acontrolled current to at least one of the two or more LED packages 18.

If the switch control unit 35 determines that the status of the switch30 places the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20 in the configurableoperating mode, the switch control unit 35 may cause the LED lamp 10 orLED lighting device 20 to be operated at light aspects or qualitiesindicated by the last received signal from the remote switch 40. Forexample, the memory element 36 may store an indication of the lastreceived signal from the remote switch 40, a current/most recently usedoperating color temperature, brightness, and/or CRI indicator, and/orthe like such that the LED lamp 10 or the lighting device 20 may beoperated at the most recently user-selected light aspects or qualities.In another example, if the switch control unit 35 determines that thestatus of the switch 30 places the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20in a programmable custom operating mode, the switch control unit 35 mayoperate the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20 accordingly (e.g.,based on a stored custom operating program stored in memory element 36,and/or the like).

In example embodiments, if the status of the switch 30 corresponds to aset operating mode (e.g., a set operating color temperature, brightness,CRI, and/or the like), the switch controller unit 35 may be bypassed.For example, if the switch selector 34 is in switch positioncorresponding to a set operating color temperature and/or the like(e.g., 32 a, 32 b, or 32 c), the position of the switch selector 34 maycause the appropriate provider circuit 17 to be activated when the LEDlamp 10 or lighting device 20 is turned on. For example, the switchposition(s) corresponding to a set operating light aspects or qualitiesmay be in direct electrical communication with the correspondingprovider circuit 17 such that placement of the switch selector 34 intothat switch position causes the corresponding provider circuit 17 to becompleted or activated (e.g., when the LED lamp 10 or lighting device 20is turned on). Thus, in some example embodiments, the switch controlunit 35 may not be powered and/or engaged in the operation of the LEDlamp 10 or lighting device 20 unless the status of the switch 30corresponds to a configurable and/or custom programmable mode. In someembodiments, a set operating mode may set one or more light aspects orqualities, while allowing one or more other light aspects or qualitiesto be configured. For example, a set operating mode may set theoperating color temperature and CRI of the LED lamp 10 or lightingdevice 20 but allow the brightness to be modified. In another example, aset operating mode may set the operating color and brightness of the LEDlamp 10 or lighting device 20 but allow the CRI to be modified. Forexample, in some example embodiments, if the status of the switch 30corresponds to a set operating color temperature mode, the switchcontrol unit 35 may only be used to receive and process signals from theremote switch 40 and cause corresponding actions related to turning theLED lamp 10 or lighting device 20 on or off, dimming the LED lamp 10 orlighting device 20, modifying the CRI of the LED lamp 10 or lightingdevice 20, and/or the like. For example, if the switch control unit 35receives a signal attempting to change the operating color of the LEDlamp 10 or lighting device 20 while the LED lamp 10 or lighting device20 is in a set operating color temperature mode, the switch control unit35 need not determine if the LED lamp 10 or lighting device 20 is in aset operating color temperature mode or the configurable operating colortemperature mode as the switch control unit 35 cannot affect the circuitconnection caused by the position of the switch selector 34.

Example Remote Switch

Example embodiments of the present invention comprise a remote switch40. In example embodiments, a remote switch 40 may be a wall mountedswitch mounted in the same room as the LED lamp 10 or LED lightingdevice 20 and/or within a short range communication technology range ofthe LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20. For example, the remoteswitch 40 may be a wall and/or junction box mounted toggle switch,dimmer switch and/or the like in wired communication with the switchcontrol unit 35. In another example, the remote switch 40 may be ahandheld device (e.g., a remote control, or computing entity 40′) thatis within the same room as the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20,within a short range communication technology range of the LED lamp 10or LED lighting device 20, in communication with the switch control unit35 through a wireless network, and/or the like. In example embodiments,the remote switch 40 may be in wired or wireless communication with theswitch control unit 35. For example, the remote switch 40 may beconfigured to control the operation of the LED lamp 10 or lightingdevice 20 or aspects thereof by providing a signal to the switch controlunit 35 indicating user selection, interaction, and/or the like with oneor more interactive elements of the remote switch 40. For example, theremote switch 40 may be configured to allow a user to toggle through twoor more operating color temperatures, brightness, CRIs, and/or otherlight aspects or qualities of the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20.In example embodiments, the toggling of the remote switch 40 to changeor modify the operating light aspects or qualities could be at any timeinterval from 1 ms to 1 min.

For example, the remote switch 40 may be configured to cause the LEDlamp 10 or lighting device 20 to turn on or off, control the brightnessof the LED lamp 10 or lighting device 20 (e.g., through a dimmerswitch), change the operating light aspects or qualities of the LED lamp10 or lighting device 20, program a programmable custom operating mode,and/or the like. An example remote switch 40 is illustrated in FIG. 5.In example embodiments, the remote switch 40 comprises one or moreinteractive elements (e.g., 42, 44). For example, the remote switch 40may comprise an on/off and/or dimmer switch 42 configured to turn theLED lamp 10 (e.g., the lighting device that the LED lamp 10 is securedwithin) or LED lighting device 20 on or off and/or control thebrightness of the LED lamp 10 or the LED lighting device 20. The remoteswitch 40 may comprise a remote selector 44 (e.g., a color temperaturecontrol) configured for remotely selecting an operating colortemperature of the LED lamp 10 or lighting device 20 when the LED lamp10 or LED lighting device 20 is in the configurable operating modewherein the operating color temperature may be toggled between colortemperature A, color temperature B, and color temperature C. Forexample, a user may select the remote selector 44 to cause the operatingcolor temperature of the LED lamp 10 or lighting device 20 to changefrom color temperature A to color temperature B, from color temperatureB to color temperature C, or from color temperature C to colortemperature A. In another example, the remote selector 44 may comprise abutton and/or the like for each of the first, second, and third colortemperatures and the user may select, press, interact with, and/or thelike the button corresponding to the desired color temperatures. Inanother example, the remote selector 44 may comprise a switch or dialhaving a switch or dial position corresponding to each of selectablecolor temperatures. In example embodiments, the remote selector 44 maybe a slide, push button, rotary, passive infrared and/or other type ofinteractive element that the user may interact with, select, press,touch, voice activate, and/or the like. Thus, the remote selector 44 maybe configured to allow a user to select a desired operating colortemperature, brightness, CRI, and/or other operating light aspects orqualities, and/or a combination thereof during operation of the LED lamp10 or LED lighting device 20 (e.g., when the LED lamp 10 or LED lightingdevice 20 is in the configurable operating mode). In exampleembodiments, the remote switch 40 may comprise additional user interfacecomponents as appropriate for the application.

The remote switch 40 may further comprise a communication interface 48.In example embodiments, the communication interface 48 may be a part ofa control unit that is similar to the switch control unit 35 (e.g., thecontrol unit may comprise a processing element and/or memory element inaddition to the communication interface 48). In example embodiments, thecommunication interface 48 is configured to provide a signal to thecommunication interface element 38 indicating user selection and/orinteraction with the on/off and/or dimmer switch 42, the remote selector44, and/or the like.

For example, the communications interface 48 may be configured tocommunicate with the switch control unit 35. For example, thecommunications interface 48 may be configured to provide a signal to thecommunications interface element 38 indicating user selection of,activation of, and/or interaction with an on/off and/or dimmer switch42, remote selector 44, and/or the like. Such communication may beexecuted using a wired data transmission protocol, such as fiberdistributed data interface (FDDI), digital subscriber line (DSL),Ethernet, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), frame relay, data over cableservice interface specification (DOC SIS), or any other wiredtransmission protocol. Similarly, the communications interface 48 may beconfigured to communicate via a wireless communication technology, suchas a short range communication technology. For example, thecommunications interface 48 may be configured to receive and/or sendsignals using IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), Wi-Fi Direct, 802.16 (WiMAX), ultrawideband (UWB), infrared (IR) protocols, near field communication (NFC)protocols, Wibree, Bluetooth protocols, wireless universal serial bus(USB) protocols, and/or any other wireless protocol.

Example Computing Device Used as a Remote Switch

FIG. 6 provides an illustrative schematic representative of a computingentity 40′ that can be used in conjunction with embodiments of thepresent invention. In particular, the computing entity 40′ may beconfigured to operate and/or execute an application configured to causethe computing entity 40′ to act as a remote switch 40. For example, thecomputing entity 40′ may operate and/or execute an applicationconfigured to communicate with the switch control unit 35 and/or causeone or more aspects (e.g., brightness, CRI, color temperature, and/orthe like and/or a combination thereof) of light emitted by the LED lamp10 or LED lighting device 20 to be modified. In example embodiments, thecomputing entity 40′ may be a mobile computing entity such as a mobilephone, tablet, phablet, wearable computing device, personal digitalassistant (PDA), MP3 player, and/or the like.

As shown in FIG. 6, a computing entity 40′ can include an antenna 412, atransmitter 404 (e.g., radio), a receiver 406 (e.g., radio), and aprocessing element 408 that provides signals to and receives signalsfrom the transmitter 404 and receiver 406, respectively. The signalsprovided to and received from the transmitter 404 and the receiver 406,respectively, may include signaling information/data in accordance withan air interface standard of applicable wireless systems to communicatewith various entities, such as switch control unit 35, another computingentity 40′, and/or the like. In this regard, the computing entity 40′may be capable of operating with one or more air interface standards,communication protocols, modulation types, and access types. Moreparticularly, the computing entity 40′ may operate in accordance withany of a number of wireless communication standards and protocols. In aparticular embodiment, the computing device 40′ may operate inaccordance with multiple wireless communication standards and protocols,such as GPRS, UMTS, CDMA2000, 1×RTT, WCDMA, TD-SCDMA, LTE, E-UTRAN,EVDO, HSPA, HSDPA, Wi-Fi, WiMAX, UWB, IR protocols, Bluetooth protocols,USB protocols, and/or any other wireless protocol.

Via these communication standards and protocols, the computing entity40′ can communicate with various other entities using concepts such asUnstructured Supplementary Service information/data (USSD), ShortMessage Service (SMS), Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), Dual-ToneMulti-Frequency Signaling (DTMF), and/or Subscriber Identity ModuleDialer (SIM dialer). The computing entity 40′ can also download changes,add-ons, and updates, for instance, to its firmware, software (e.g.,including executable instructions, applications, program modules), andoperating system.

According to one embodiment, the computing entity 40′ may includelocation determining aspects, devices, modules, functionalities, and/orsimilar words used herein interchangeably. For example, the computingentity 40′ may include outdoor positioning aspects, such as a locationmodule adapted to acquire, for example, latitude, longitude, altitude,geocode, course, direction, heading, speed, UTC, date, and/or variousother information/data. In one embodiment, the location module canacquire data, sometimes known as ephemeris data, by identifying thenumber of satellites in view and the relative positions of thosesatellites. The satellites may be a variety of different satellites,including LEO satellite systems, DOD satellite systems, the EuropeanUnion Galileo positioning systems, the Chinese Compass navigationsystems, Indian Regional Navigational satellite systems, and/or thelike. Alternatively, the location information/data may be determined bytriangulating the computing entity's 40′ position in connection with avariety of other systems, including cellular towers, Wi-Fi accesspoints, and/or the like. Similarly, the computing entity 40′ may includeindoor positioning aspects, such as a location module adapted toacquire, for example, latitude, longitude, altitude, geocode, course,direction, heading, speed, time, date, and/or various otherinformation/data. Some of the indoor aspects may use various position orlocation technologies including RFID tags, indoor beacons ortransmitters, Wi-Fi access points, cellular towers, nearby computingdevices (e.g., smartphones, laptops) and/or the like. For instance, suchtechnologies may include iBeacons, Gimbal proximity beacons, BLEtransmitters, Near Field Communication (NFC) transmitters, and/or thelike. These indoor positioning aspects can be used in a variety ofsettings to determine the location of someone or something to withininches or centimeters.

The computing entity 40′ may also comprise a user interface (that caninclude a display 416 coupled to a processing element 408) and/or a userinput interface (coupled to a processing element 408). For example, theuser interface may be an application, browser, user interface,dashboard, webpage, and/or similar words used herein interchangeablyexecuting on and/or accessible via the computing entity 40′ to interactwith and/or cause display of information. The user input interface cancomprise any of a number of devices allowing the computing entity 40′ toreceive data, such as a keypad 418 (hard or soft), a touch display,voice/speech or motion interfaces, scanners, readers, or other inputdevice. In embodiments including a keypad 418, the keypad 418 caninclude (or cause display of) the conventional numeric (0-9) and relatedkeys (#, *), and other keys used for operating the computing entity 40′and may include a full set of alphabetic keys or set of keys that may beactivated to provide a full set of alphanumeric keys. In addition toproviding input, the user input interface can be used, for example, toactivate or deactivate certain functions, such as screen savers and/orsleep modes. Through such inputs the computing entity 40′ can collectcontextual information/data as part of the telematics data.

The computing entity 40′ can also include volatile storage or memory 422and/or non-volatile storage or memory 424, which can be embedded and/ormay be removable. For example, the non-volatile memory may be ROM, PROM,EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory, MMCs, SD memory cards, Memory Sticks,CBRAM, PRAM, FeRAM, RRAM, SONOS, racetrack memory, and/or the like. Thevolatile memory may be RAM, DRAM, SRAM, FPM DRAM, EDO DRAM, SDRAM, DDRSDRAM, DDR2 SDRAM, DDR3 SDRAM, RDRAM, RIMM, DIMM, SIMM, VRAM, cachememory, register memory, and/or the like. The volatile and non-volatilestorage or memory can store databases, database instances, databasemanagement system entities, data, applications, programs, programmodules, scripts, source code, object code, byte code, compiled code,interpreted code, machine code, executable instructions, and/or the liketo implement the functions of the computing entity 40′.

Example Method of Operating an LED Lamp or LED Lighting Device

FIG. 7 provides a flowchart illustrating processes and procedures for anexample method for operating an LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20.Starting at block 102, a user uses the switch 30 to select the preferredoperation mode for the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20. Forexample, the user may place the switch selector 34 in the desired switchposition 32 (e.g., 32 a, 32 b, 32 c, 32 d). For example, the switch 30may be used to select one of the set operating modes or the configurableoperating mode. In an example embodiment, the switch 30 may be used toselect a programmable custom operating mode.

At block 104, the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20 may beinstalled. For example, the LED lamp 10 may be secured within a socketof a lighting device. In another example, the LED lighting device 20 maybe put into electrical connection with line voltage by plugging a two-or three-prong polarized plug into a wall receptacle and the LEDlighting device 20 may be placed in a desired position. In anotherexample, the LED lighting device 20 may be electrically connected toline voltage by connecting wires of the LED lighting device 20 to linevoltage wires of a junction box and mounting the LED lighting device 20to a ceiling, wall, and/or the like.

At some time after the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20 isinstalled, the LED lamp 10 or lighting device 20 is turned on, at block112. For example, a user may turn on the LED lamp 10 or LED lightingdevice 20 by interacting with, selecting, pressing, and/or the like anon/off or power button, switch, and/or the like. For example, the usermay interact with, select, press, and/or the like the on/off and/ordimmer switch 42 on the remote switch 40, the remote switch 40 mayprovide an on/off signal to the switch control unit 35, and the switchcontrol unit 35 may cause the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20 toturn on.

At block 114, it may be determined if the LED lamp 10 or LED lightingdevice 20 is in a set operating mode. For example it may be determinedif the switch 30 was set in a position indicating that the LED lamp 10or LED lighting device 20 is to be operated in a set operating mode(e.g., with set light aspects or qualities). For example, the switchcontroller unit 35 (e.g., the processing element 37) may determine ifthe LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20 is in a set operating mode. Insome embodiments, determining if the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device20 is in a set operating mode does not require an active determination.For example, the switch 30 may be wired such that if the switch selector34 is in set operating mode switch position, the switch control unit 35may be bypassed and the provider circuit 17 corresponding to theselected set operating light aspects or qualities may be activated,completed, and/or the like causing the LED lamp 10 or LED lightingdevice 20 to be operated at the set operating light aspects orqualities.

If, at block 114, it is determined that the LED lamp 10 or LED lightingdevice 20 is in a set operating mode, the LED lamp 10 or LED lightingdevice 20 is operated at the set operating light aspects or qualities(e.g., color temperature, brightness, CRI, and/or the like), at block116. For example, the driver circuitry 19 may operate at least one ofthe two or more LED packages 18 to cause the LED lamp 10 or LED lightingdevice 20 to emit light at the set operating color temperature.

If, at block 114, it is determined that the LED lamp 10 or LED lightingdevice 20 is not in a set operating mode, the process continues to block118. At block 118, the color temperature that the LED lamp 10 or LEDlighting device 20 was last operated at is identified. For example, theswitch control unit 35 (e.g., the processing element 37, memory element36, and/or the like) may identify the color temperature, brightness,CRI, and/or the like that the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20 waslast operated at. For example, the memory element 36 may store the mostrecent operating color temperature, brightness, CRI, and/or the like(and/or an indicator thereof), which may be used to identify the lightaspects or qualities that the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20 waslast operated at. For example, the identified color temperature isapplied or implemented as the operating color temperature.

At block 120, the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20 is operated toprovide light having the determined or identified light aspects orqualities. For example, the switch control unit 35 may cause the drivercircuitry 19 to operate the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20 at theoperating light aspects or qualities (e.g., color temperature,brightness, CRI, and/or the like, and/or a combination thereof). Forexample, the driver circuitry 19 may operate at least one of the two ormore LED packages 18 to cause the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20to emit light at the operating light aspects or qualities. For example,the driver circuitry 19 may operate a specific set of LED packages 18 tocause the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20 to emit light at theoperating color temperature (and/or brightness and/or CRI). In anotherexample, the driver circuitry 19 may drive one or more LED packages 18such that the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20 emits light at theoperating color temperature (and/or brightness and/or CRI). In yetanother example, the switch control unit 35 may adjust one or moreoptical elements to cause the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20 toemit light at the operating color temperature (and/or brightness and/orCRI).

At block 122, it is determined if a light aspect or quality changesignal is received. For example, the switch control unit 35 maydetermine if a light aspect or quality change signal is received fromthe remote switch 40. For example, the signal may indicate userselection of the color selector 44, indicating the user would like tochange the operating color temperature of the LED lamp 10 or the LEDlighting device 20. For example, it is determined if a light aspect orquality change signal is received by the communication interface element38. If, at block 122, it is determined that a light aspect or qualitychange signal is not received, the process returns to block 120.

If, at block 122, it is determined that a light aspect or quality changesignal has been received, one or more operating light aspects orqualities of the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20 are modifiedaccordingly. For example, the switch control unit 35 may activate aprovider circuit 17 corresponding to the modified operating colortemperature (and/or brightness and/or CRI, and/or the like) and mayde-activate the previously activated provider circuit 17 correspondingto the previous operating color temperature (and/or brightness and/orCRI, and/or the like). For example, the switch control unit 35 may causeone provider circuit 17 to provide a controlled electric current to thecorresponding at least one LED package 18 such that the LED lamp 10 orLED lighting device 20 emits light having the modified operating lightaspects or qualities and cause another provider circuit 17 to stopproviding an electric current to the corresponding at least one LEDpackage 18 corresponding to the previous operating light aspect orqualities. For example, the memory element 36 may be updated to indicatethe new most recent operating light aspects or qualities. In exampleembodiments, the switch control unit 35 and/or driver circuitry 19 areconfigured to start operating the at least one of the two or more LEDpackages 18 at the modified operating light aspects or qualities withintwo seconds or less of the receipt of the signal indicatinguser-selection of the modified operating light aspects or qualities.After the one or more operating light aspects or qualities are modified,the process returns to block 120.

Alternative Example Method of Operating an LED Lamp or LED LightingDevice

FIG. 8 provides a flowchart illustrating processes and procedures for analternative method for operating an LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device20. Starting at block 202, a user uses the switch 30 to select thepreferred operation mode for the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20.For example, the user may place the switch selector 34 in the desiredswitch position 32 (e.g., 32 a, 32 b, 32 c, 32 d). For example, theswitch 30 may be used to select one of the set operating modes or theconfigurable operating mode. In an example embodiment, the switch 30 maybe used to select a programmable custom operating mode.

At block 204, the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20 may beinstalled. For example, the LED lamp 10 may be secured within a socketof a lighting device. In another example, the LED lighting device 20 maybe put into electrical connection with line voltage by plugging a two-or three-prong polarized plug into a wall receptacle and the LEDlighting device 20 may be placed in a desired position. In anotherexample, the LED lighting device 20 may be electrically connected toline voltage by connecting wires of the LED lighting device 20 to linevoltage wires of a junction box and mounting the LED lighting device 20to a ceiling, wall, and/or the like. In yet another example, a wiringharness terminating in a standard size lamp base connector may besecured into the socket of a recessed lighting fixture. The LED lightingdevice 20 may then be placed, mounted, installed, and/or the like in adesired position.

At some time after the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20 isinstalled, the LED lamp 10 or lighting device 20 is turned on, at block212. For example, a user may turn on the LED lamp 10 or lighting device20 by interacting with, selecting, pressing, and/or the like an on/offor power button, switch, and/or the like. For example, the user mayinteract with, select, press, and/or the like the on/off and/or dimmerswitch 42 on the remote switch 40, the remote switch 40 may provide anon/off signal to the switch control unit 35, and the switch control unit35 may cause the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20 to turn on.

At block 214, the color temperature that the LED lamp 10 or LED lightingdevice 20 was last operated at is identified. For example, the switchcontrol unit 35 (e.g., the processing element 37, memory element 36,and/or the like) may identify the color temperature that the LED lamp 10or LED lighting device 20 was last operated at. For example, the memoryelement 36 may store the most recent operating light aspects orqualities, which may be used to identify the color temperature,brightness, CRI, and/or the like that the LED lamp 10 or LED lightingdevice 20 was last operated at. For example, the identified lightaspects or qualities are applied or implemented as the operating lightaspects or qualities.

At block 216, the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20 is operated atthe operating light aspects or qualities. For example, the switchcontrol unit 35 may cause the driver circuitry 19 to operate the LEDlamp 10 or LED lighting device 20 at the operating light aspects orqualities (e.g., color temperature, brightness, CRI, and/or the like).For example, the driver circuitry 19 may operate at least one of the twoor more LED packages 18 to cause the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device20 to emit light at the operating color temperature. For example, thedriver circuitry 19 may operate a specific set of LED packages 18 tocause the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20 to emit light at theoperating color temperature (and/or brightness and/or CRI). In anotherexample, the driver circuitry 19 may drive one or more LED packages 18such that the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20 emits light at theoperating color temperature (and/or brightness and/or CRI). In yetanother example, the switch control unit 35 may adjust one or moreoptical elements to cause the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20 toemit light at the operating color temperature (and/or brightness and/orCRI and/or the like).

At block 218, it is determined if a light aspect or quality changesignal is received. For example, the switch control unit 35 maydetermine if a light aspect or quality change signal is received fromthe remote switch 40. For example, the signal may indicate userselection of the color selector 44, indicating the user would like tochange one or more operating light aspects or qualities of the LED lamp10 or the LED lighting device 20. In another example, the signal mayindicate user selection of the dimmer switch 42, indicating the userwould like to change the brightness of the light emitted by the LED lamp10 or the LED lighting device 20. For example, it is determined if alight aspect or quality change signal is received by the communicationinterface element 38. If, at block 218, it is determined that a lightaspect or quality change signal is not received, the process returns toblock 216.

If, at block 218, it is determined that a light aspect or quality changesignal has been received, it determined if the LED lamp 10 or LEDlighting device 20 is in a set operating mode, at block 220. For exampleit may be determined if the switch 30 was set in a position indicatingthat the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20 is to be operated in aset operating mode. For example, the switch control unit 35 (e.g.,processing elements 37) may determine if the LED lamp 10 or LED lightingdevice 20 is to be operated in a set operating mode. In someembodiments, determining if the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20 isin a set operating mode does not require an active determination. Forexample, the switch 30 may be wired such that if the switch selector 34is in set operating mode switch position, the switch control unit 35 maybe bypassed and the provider circuit 17 corresponding to the selectedset operating mode (e.g., a set operating color temperature) may beactivated, completed, and/or the like causing the LED lamp 10 or LEDlighting device 20 to be operated at the set operating light aspects orqualities.

If, at block 220, it is determined that the LED lamp 10 or LED lightingdevice 20 is in a set operating mode, the process returns to block 216without modifying the operating light aspects or qualities. If, at block220, it is determined that the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20 isnot in a set operating mode, the process continues to block 222.

At block 222, the operating light aspects or qualities of the LED lamp10 or LED lighting device 20 are modified in accordance with thereceived light aspect or quality change signal. For example, the switchcontrol unit 35 may activate a provider circuit 17 corresponding to amodified operating color temperature and may de-activate the previouslyactivated provider circuit 17 corresponding to the previous operatingcolor temperature. For example, the switch control unit 35 may cause oneprovider circuit 17 to provide a controlled electric current to thecorresponding at least one LED package 18 such that the LED lamp 10 orLED lighting device 20 emits light at the modified operating colortemperature (and possibly at a modified brightness and/or CRI) and causeanother provider circuit 17 to stop providing an electric current to thecorresponding at least one LED package 18. For example, the memoryelement 36 may be updated to indicate the new most recent operatinglight aspects or qualities. In example embodiments, the switch controlunit 35 and/or driver circuitry 19 are configured to start operating theat least one of the two or more LED packages 18 at the modifiedoperating light aspects or qualities within two seconds or less of thereceipt of the signal indicating user-selection of the second operatinglight aspects or qualities. After the operating light aspects orqualities are modified, the process returns to block 216.

In example embodiments, an LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20 may beconfigured to provide a programmable custom operating mode. For example,a user may select a custom operating color temperature (and/orbrightness and/or CRI and/or the like) and/or program the LED lamp 10 orLED lighting device 20 (e.g., the switch control unit 35 thereof) tooperate the LED lamp 10 or LED light device 20 in accordance with acustom programmed temporal operating program. For example, withreference to FIG. 8, at block 202, the switch 30 of the LED lamp 10 orthe LED lighting device 20 may be placed in a position corresponding toa programmable custom operating mode. The user may further program theprogrammable custom operating mode (e.g., using the switch 30,additional user interface components, remote switch 40, and/or thelike). In an example embodiment, programming programmable customoperating mode may comprise providing input identifying a customoperating color, selecting a brightness, selecting a CRI, and/or thelike. For example, the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20 maycomprise first LED packages 18 a and second LED packages 18 b, whereinthe first LED packages 18 a are configured to emit light of a differentcolor temperature than the second LED packages 18 b. The switch controlunit 35 may be configured to determine a ratio of the number of firstLED packages 18 a to the number of second LED packages 18 b that shouldbe activated to provide the custom operating color temperature. Forexample, the first LED packages 18 a may be configured to emit light at3000K and the second LED packages 18 b may be configured to emit lightat 5000 k. The programmable custom operating color temperature may beprogrammed to be 4500K. In this example, the switch control unit 35 maybe configured to determine that one-fourth of the first LED packages 18a and three-fourths of the second LED packages 18 b should be activatedto provide a light at a color temperature of 4500K. The switch controlunit 35 may then be configured to activate one or more provider circuits17 in order to activate the appropriate LED packages 18 when the LEDlamp 10 or LED lighting device 20 is turned on to provide light of theprogrammed custom operating color temperature. In another example, theswitch control unit 35 may determine how one or more LED packages 18should be driven to provide light having the user-selected light aspectsor qualities. In another example, the switch control unit 35 may causethe primary or secondary optics, the amount of phosphor conditioninglight from one or more LED packages 18, and/or the like to be modifiedsuch that the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20 emits light havingthe user-selected light aspects or qualities. At block 204, the LED lamp10 or LED lighting device 20 may be installed.

At some time after the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20 isinstalled, the LED lamp 10 or lighting device 20 is turned on, at block212. For example, a user may turn on the LED lamp 10 or lighting device20 by interacting with, selecting, pressing, and/or the like an on/offor power button, switch, and/or the like. For example, the user mayinteract with, select, press, and/or the like the on/off and/or dimmerswitch 42 on the remote switch 40, the remote switch 40 may provide anon/off signal to the switch control unit 35, and the switch control unit35 may cause the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20 to turn on.

At block 214, the light aspects or qualities (e.g., color temperature,brightness, CRI, and/or the like) that the LED lamp 10 or LED lightingdevice 20 are to be operated at may be identified. For example, thecolor temperature the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20 was lastoperated at may be identified. In another example, the memory element 36may be accessed (e.g., by the processing element 37) to identify theappropriate operating light aspects or qualities based on the programmedcustom operating mode, the time of day, and/or the like. If the LED lamp10 or LED lighting device 20 is in a programmable custom operating modein which a custom operating color temperature has been programmed, theswitch control unit 35 may determine the appropriate combination of LEDpackages 18 to be activated to provide light of the custom operatingcolor temperature and the corresponding provider circuits 17 that are tobe activated, the current at which the provider corresponding providercircuits 17 are to be activated with, and/or the like.

At block 216, the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20 is operated atthe identified operating light aspects or qualities. For example, theswitch control unit 35 may cause the driver circuitry 19 to operate theLED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20 at the operating light aspects orqualities. For example, the driver circuitry 19 may operate at least oneof the two or more LED packages 18 to cause the LED lamp 10 or LEDlighting device 20 to emit light at the identified operating colortemperature. For example, the appropriate provider circuits forproviding the identified operating color temperature are activated suchthat the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20 provides light of theuser-selected operating color temperature. For example, the drivercircuitry 19 may drive one or more LED packages 18 to provide lighthaving the identified light aspects or qualities.

At block 218, it is determined if a light aspect or quality changesignal is received. If a light aspect or quality change signal has notbeen received (e.g., as determined by the switch control unit 35), theprocess returns to block 216. If a light aspect or quality change signalis received, the process continues to step 220, wherein it is determinedif the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20 is in a set operating mode.In some embodiments, the programmable custom operating mode may be a setmode, wherein the operating color temperature (and/or other lightaspects or qualities) of the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20cannot be modified during operation of the LED lamp 10 or LED lightingdevice 20. In some example embodiments, the programmable customoperating mode may be a selectively configurable mode, wherein theoperating color temperature (or other light aspect or quality) of theLED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20 may be modified during operationof the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20. For example, the operatingcolor temperature of the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20 may beswitched between one or more predefined color temperatures (e.g., thefirst, second, and third color temperatures) and the programmed customoperating color temperature (and/or brightness and/or CRI and/or thelike). Thus, the switch control unit 35 may determine (e.g., based onthe status of the switch 30 and/or one or more programs and/or the likestored by the memory element 36) if the LED lamp 10 or LED lightingdevice 20 is in a set mode or a configurable mode.

If it is determined that the LED lamp 10 or LED lighting device 20 is ina set mode, the process returns to block 216, and the LED lamp 10 or LEDlighting device 20 continues to provide light at the operating lightaspects or qualities. If it is determined that the LED lamp 10 or LEDlighting device 20 is in a configurable mode, the process continues toblock 222. At block 222, the operating light aspects or qualities aremodified in accordance with the received light aspect or quality changesignal. The process then returns to block 216.

CONCLUSION

Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention set forthherein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which theinvention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in theforegoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is tobe understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specificembodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments areintended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a genericand descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

That which is claimed:
 1. An LED lighting device or LED lamp comprising:four or more LED packages, one of the four or more LED packages beingconfigured to emit light having first light characteristics and anotherof the four or more LED packages being configured to emit light havingsecond light characteristics different from the first lightcharacteristics, the one of the four or more LED packages beingexclusive of the another of the two or more LED packages; and anindicator for a first fixed operating mode having first fixed operatinglight characteristics and a second fixed operating mode having secondfixed operating light characteristics different from the first fixedoperating light characteristics, wherein: when the indicator is in thefirst fixed operating mode and responsive to receiving an indication ofuser input for selecting user-selected operating light qualities, theplurality of LED packages is operated in accordance with the first fixedoperating mode, when the indicator is in the second fixed operating modeand responsive to receiving an indication of user input for selectinguser-selected operating light qualities, the plurality of LED packagesis operated in accordance with the second fixed operating mode, and atleast one of the first fixed operating light characteristics or thesecond fixed operating light characteristics is provided by activationof a combination of: (a) less than all of the four or more LED packages,(b) the one of the four or more LED packages, and (c) the another of thefour or more LED packages.
 2. The LED lighting device or LED lamp ofclaim 1, wherein the indicator is a switch and the first and secondfixed operating modes are two physical positions of the switch.
 3. TheLED lighting device or LED lamp of claim 1, wherein the operating lightqualities further include one or more of brightness or color renderingindex (CRI).
 4. The LED lighting device or LED lamp of claim 1, whereinat least one of the first fixed operating light characteristics are afirst color temperature or the second fixed operating lightcharacteristics are a second color temperature.
 5. The LED lightingdevice or LED lamp of claim 1, further comprising a control unitcomprising (a) a memory element and (b) a processor element, the memoryelement configured to store information identifying the operating lightqualities the LED lighting device or LED lamp was most recently operatedat and the processor element configured to identify the operating lightqualities corresponding to a most recently received user-selection ofthe operating light qualities.
 6. The LED lighting device or LED lamp ofclaim 5, wherein the driver circuitry is configured to start operatingthe plurality of LED packages at the modified light qualities within twoseconds of the receipt of the user-selection of the modified lightqualities.
 7. The LED lighting device or LED lamp of claim 1, wherein:the indicator further comprises a configurable operating mode; when theindicator is in the configurable operating mode, responsive to receivingan indication of user input for selecting custom operating lightqualities other than those associated with the first and secondoperating modes, operation of the plurality of LED packages is modifiedin accordance with the custom operating light qualities.
 8. The LEDlighting device or LED lamp of claim 7, further comprising drivercircuitry, wherein when the indicator is in the configurable operatingmode, the lighting device or LED lamp is configured to receive auser-selection of modified operating light qualities, wherein themodified operating light qualities are different from the operatinglight qualities corresponding to both the first and the second operatinglight qualities by at least one of brightness, color temperature, orcolor rendering index (CRI), and wherein when the indicator is in theconfigurable operating mode, the driver circuitry is configured tomodify the operation of the plurality of LED packages from providinglight having the operating light qualities to providing light having themodified light qualities.
 9. The LED lighting device or LED lamp ofclaim 1, wherein the indicator further comprises at least one selectableoption corresponding to a programmable custom operating mode.
 10. An LEDlighting device or LED lamp comprising: a plurality of LED packages, afirst set of the plurality of LED packages being configured to emitlight having a first light characteristic and a second set of theplurality of LED packages being configured to emit light having a secondlight characteristic different from the first light characteristic, thefirst set of the plurality of LED packages being mutually exclusive ofthe second set of the plurality of LED packages; and an indicator of afirst fixed operating mode having a first operating light characteristicand a second operating mode having a second operating lightcharacteristic different from the first operating light characteristic;wherein, when the LED lighting device or LED lamp is on, and: inresponse to receiving a signal indicating a user-selection provided viaa toggle input device, the at least one of the plurality of LED packagesoperates to emit light having first predefined operating lightqualities, in response to receiving a signal indicating a user-selectionprovided via the toggle input device, the at least one of the pluralityof LED packages operates to emit light having second predefinedoperating light qualities different from the first predefined operatinglight qualities, and at least one of the first operating lightcharacteristic or the second operating light characteristic is providedby activation of a combination of: (a) at least one and less than all ofthe first LED packages and (b) at least one and less than all of thesecond LED packages.
 11. The LED lighting device or LED lamp of claim10, wherein the operating light qualities further include one or more ofbrightness, color temperature, or color rendering index (CRI).
 12. TheLED lighting device or LED lamp of claim 10, further comprising acontrol unit comprising (a) a memory element and (b) a processorelement, the memory element configured to store information identifyingthe operating light qualities the LED lighting device or LED lamp wasmost recently operated at and the processor element configured toidentify the operating light qualities corresponding to a most recentlyreceived signal indicating user-selection of the operating lightqualities.
 13. The LED lighting device or LED lamp of claim 10, furthercomprising a configurable operating mode, wherein when the indicator isin the configurable operating mode, the lighting device or LED lamp isconfigured to receive a signal indicating user-selection of modifiedlight qualities, wherein the modified operating light qualities aredifferent from the operating light qualities of the first and secondfixed operating modes by at least one of brightness, color temperature,or color rendering index (CRI), and operation of the plurality of LEDpackages is modified from providing light having the operating lightqualities of the first or the second fixed operating modes to providinglight having the modified light qualities.
 14. The LED lighting deviceor LED lamp of claim 10, wherein the signal indicating user-selection ofthe modified light qualities is received through a wired connection withthe toggle input device.
 15. An LED lighting device or LED lampcomprising: a plurality of LED packages, a first set of the plurality ofLED packages being configured to emit light at a first lightcharacteristic and a second set of the plurality of LED packages beingconfigured to emit light at a second light characteristic different fromthe first light characteristic; and an indicator for a first fixedoperating mode having a first operating light characteristic and asecond fixed operating mode having a second operating lightcharacteristic; wherein, when the LED lighting device or LED lamp is onat least one of the first fixed operating light characteristic or thesecond fixed operating light characteristic is generated by simultaneousactivation of a combination of: (a) at least one and less than all ofthe first LED packages and (b) at least one and less than all of thesecond LED packages.
 16. The LED lighting device or LED lamp of claim15, wherein the portable remote device is one of a remote control or amobile computing entity operating an application configured to cause themobile computing entity to act as a remote switch.
 17. The LED lightingdevice or LED lamp of claim 15, further comprising a configurableoperating mode, wherein when the indicator is in the configurableoperating mode, the lighting device or LED lamp is configured to receivea signal from the remote device indicating user-selection of modifiedlight qualities, wherein the modified operating light qualities aredifferent from the operating light qualities of the first and secondfixed operating modes by at least one of brightness, color temperature,or color rendering index (CRI), and the operation of the plurality ofLED packages is modified from providing light having the operating lightqualities of the first or the second fixed operating modes to providinglight having the modified light qualities.
 18. The LED lighting deviceor LED lamp of claim 15, further comprising a control unit comprising acommunication interface element configured to receive a signalindicating a user-selection, the user selection provided through userinteraction with the remote device.
 19. The LED lighting device or LEDlamp of claim 18, wherein the communication interface element isconfigured to receive the signal by at least one of a short-rangecommunication technology or a wireless communication technology.
 20. TheLED lighting device or LED lamp of claim 15, further comprising acontrol unit comprising (a) a memory element and (b) a processingelement, the memory element being configured to store informationidentifying the operating light qualities the LED lighting device or LEDlamp was most recently operated at and the processor element beingconfigured to identify the operating light qualities corresponding to amost recently received signal indicating user-selection of the operatinglight qualities.